How to Hire a Press Release Writer [What’s the Cost]

Are you making an announcement? Hiring a good press release writer spells the difference between effective messaging and lackluster content. Here’s everything you need to know about hiring one.

So you’re ready to spread your message. Should you hire a professional copywriter or draft one yourself?

Hiring a professional press release writer lets you reap a variety of benefits. Having someone draft your business promotions means better content. You have more time to focus on important projects and more exposure.

Before adding another member to your team, consider these factors. Many business owners have mistakenly spent too much on a copywriter, and some hire press release writers only to end up with sub-standard output.

How much should you pay a press release writer in writing press releases? What qualities and skills make a good press release writer?

Why should you hire a press release writer?

There are many advantages to hiring a press release writer even if you have stellar writing skills and can draft them yourself.

While adding a member to your team is an investment, here’s when hiring a copywriter makes sense.

Improved quality

Hiring a copywriter makes sense if you’re looking for better writing in your press releases. Copywriters with extensive experience in press release writing know tips and tricks. And this is common if copywriting isn’t your specialization.

The best press release writers can easily write about the most obscure topics. They use search engine optimization and a good flow of thoughts. They’re more qualified to ensure your ideas come across how you want them to.

Improved results

You may get results if you draft your press releases yourself. But you can be assured success if you make a specialized writer do it. Press release writing can be complicated. It is because there’s an established science behind it.

A good press release is relevant to the audience it targets, which increases its likelihood of being spread and shared. Good press release writers are knowledgeable about effective keywords. And they can even handle your press release distribution. It makes it even easier for people to find your business or learn about your product or service.

More time

If you’re heading your company, your hands must be full. Drafting press releases shouldn’t be included in your daily to-do list when there are more important tasks. Hiring a press release writer removes this burden from your shoulders. It frees up your time for activities that matter most.

What should you look for in a press release writer?

Reliability

Quality is important no matter what position you’re hiring for. Reliability becomes an integral quality when you’re hiring freelance press release writers who work remotely.

Since you won’t be able to supervise the worker, you’ll need someone who can get things done on time with minimal supervision. For good measure, ask the writer if he has encountered reliability challenges in the past and what he has done to rectify them.

Qualifications

It goes without saying that if you are looking for excellent press releases, hire someone qualified. Assess the applicant by going through their credentials and asking pertinent questions.

You want to identify a freelance writer with expertise in producing press releases. Specifically, someone with experience writing press releases relevant to your industry.

Of course, the more writing experience the applicant has, the better. Hiring press release writers with at least a year of experience in drafting press releases is ideal.

Availability

If you’re looking to compose press releases daily, make sure that the press release writer has enough time to work on your tasks. Will you be requesting revisions at the last minute? Make sure the applicant knows this as well.

Commitment

Most freelance press release writers have a roster of clients. Since you’re not the only one they’ll be working for. You’ll need a writer who can offer a decent level of commitment to your projects.

Will the writer push your tasks aside if more urgent projects from other clients arrive? You need your potential writers to know how much time they need to commit to your projects before hiring them.

Relevant Samples

Take no one’s word for it when it comes to personal experience. Request samples of press releases they’ve written (two or three is a decent number). And review them to ensure they’re delivering the quality and style of work you’re looking for.

Professional Attitude

The best writers in the world won’t be much help if they can’t meet deadlines or react to emails. And it is a serious issue for freelancers. Most freelancers have other clients. And, in certain cases, full-time jobs to cater to, so some wiggle room is required.

Look elsewhere if a candidate fails to attend an interview or is tardy in responding to you. There are lots of other fish in the sea. Someone hesitant to answer the interview process may be an unresponsive nightmare after the job is secured.

See Related: Best Freelance Content Writing Websites

How much to charge for writing a press release?

The quick answer is that press release cost varies based on several factors. It’s hard to pin one number on this question.

You’ll find a freelance writer who can draft you a press release for as low as $30 to as high as $182 per hour. Others will charge you $.50 to $2 per word or $150 to $750 per page.

There is an overwhelming variety in cost. This is because there are many ways to charge writing work and so many “add-ons” to consider. Here are some of the things that may influence how much a press release writer charges:

1. The quality

Well-crafted press releases cost more than those that are substandard. And that’s an obvious fact. Writers charge peanuts for their work (as low as $5 per project). But you’re not supposed to expect much.

The foundation of a great press release is clean and concise wording. It also consists of keywords that draw the interest of its target demographic. 

People often mistakenly believe that press release writing services are simple. This is because they are brief and to the point. However, as everyone who has built software or designed systems knows, press releases are difficult.

A well-written press release is concise, direct, and communicates a brief amount of space. Most press releases, such as trade periodicals, local media, or possible partners, are tailored to a particular audience.

You may find an early-career freelance press release writer who charges $50. But you’ll have to manage the writer and be in charge of your own distribution.

You might hire an entry-level freelance writer who can prepare something passable for $50. At this level, be prepared to supply the topic and viewpoint for your press releases and manage the writer. You will also be in charge of your press release distribution services. It is an ideal option for businesses with more time than funds to spend.

For $250, you may be able to hire professional press release writers. They might deliver a press release service with minimal fuss while being able to manage distribution.

You will still be in charge of topic generation and delivery at this level. This is a good alternative for a company that doesn’t mind having a hand in the writer’s management and has the time to experiment to discover the optimal quality.

A usual fee for hiring an experienced, qualified press release writer is between $500 and $2500. At this level, the writer’s portfolio will determine the amount you pay. It also includes their competence and degree of comprehension for your target audience.

Services like distribution and news monitoring will raise prices, pushing you closer to the upper end. For most established firms, anywhere around this press release service range is a solid decision.

Some firms charge upwards of $3000 each for writing press releases. You should expect to hire an experienced and professional writer with these rates. This press release writer may be in the industry for over a decade.

The writer should understand the people they’re aiming for. The writer should specialize in your business and have demonstrated skill in crisp, clear language that grabs attention. Rates at this level are likely to include full-service consultation, news monitoring, and distribution.

See Related: How Much is $45,000 a Year Hourly? (An Hourly Wage Analysis)

2. The scope

More than drafting the press release, some press release writers may offer to shoulder other tasks. It includes developing a distribution network, monitoring for news, SEO optimization, and creating and maintaining a media kit.

More elements may affect the cost of press release writing services. So it’s good to know what your press release writer can do for you before committing.

While good writing is essential for a successful press release, it is not the only factor. Identifying the appropriate news, building a distribution network, managing media contacts, and other factors influence how much attention a press release writer receives.

Adding these and other features to the press release service increases the scope and cost. Here are services that may be worth the extra money for you:

News Monitoring

Understanding what defines a newsworthy event is a skill in and of itself. It necessitates media expertise and active monitoring of company action. Without someone executing this function, it is possible to overlook celebrations, executive appointments, and promotions. Also, mergers, leadership bios, new ventures, new business lines, and other opportunities get enough attention.

Maintaining a Media Kit

Journalists have hectic schedules. They value contacts who do not need them to put more effort than required. A media kit that includes leadership profiles and head pictures, corporate letterhead, company profile, and other pertinent material can improve your chances of getting positive coverage on media outlets.

SEO Optimization

Even without optimization, press releases benefit SEO in two ways. First, they add new content to the site when they are released, and Google enjoys content.

Second, when picked up by bloggers, journalists, and news outlets, press release writing services produce inbound links. Deliberate SEO optimization can boost these advantages. It may include relevant keywords, targeted keyword integration, and inbound link development.

3.  The payment method

Whether you pay hourly, flat rate, a la carte, or retainer influences the amount you must pay a press release writer. If you’re looking to save, look for copywriters who can work on a flat rate, retainer basis. Here are some things you need to keep in mind.

Hourly or flat rate? 

Hourly rates can be attractive. But if your press release writer doesn’t have enough grip on the project’s scope to give you a flat rate, it may indicate a lack of experience.

If you’re hiring an inexperienced copywriter, he may take longer to draft a press release than someone experienced. Though the quality of work may be the same, you’ll lose money if you charge by the hour.

A la carte or retainer? 

Paying for press releases a la carte will allow you to save. However, having someone on a retainer basis has its benefits.

It takes time for a writer to know your company from the ground up. Having someone on a retainer basis gives him enough time to get to know your company better. And it means spreading the cost of ramp-up. It means you’ll pay lower for each press release on a retainer basis while getting better results.

Where can I find a good press release writer?

1. WriterAccess

WriterAccess is the best portal for hiring a freelance press release writer. You can find press release writers with the needed skills and expertise on this platform. Clients will be able to manage publishing, approvals, and performance. And it is done through the WriterAccess content creation platform.

WriterAccess boasts a robust workflow platform. It offers instant access to talent, a dashboard to track content performance, and an optional managed service.

To access the software, clients must pay a small monthly platform subscription fee ranging from $39. It consists of a basic account of up to $99 a month for a premium account.

The premium account gives you access to the platform’s wide variety of talent, including animators, photographers, web designers, illustrations, editors, content strategists, translators, and others. Once you’re subscribed, you can pay a flat rate for your projects. Or you can pay by the word, ranging from 2 cents to $1 for better quality.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr isn’t the first place you’d think of when hiring high-quality press release writers. But you’ll find more than a dozen gifted copywriters on the platform. And they offer services for a very good price.

Hugh has a 4.9-star rating and over 900 reviews. He has over 20 years of experience in corporate PR and marketing communications and charges as low as $35 for a 300+ word professionally written press release.

Bgracious has over 1,000 reviews and a 5.0-star rating on her profile. He offers keyword-optimized PR writing packages ranging from $200 for a 200-word article to $450 for a 450-word article.

Faswaldo is a 27-year-old copywriter and public relations coordinator. He specializes in press releases, website content, blogging, product descriptions, and captions. She has a 4.9-star rating and over 1,000 reviews. Her packages range from $100 for a 300-word press release to $200 for a 500-word one.

3. Contently

Contently works with the world’s biggest businesses to create engaging, accountable content on a large scale. What distinguishes them is their hybrid approach: They assist clients in generating strategically distinctive content that drives business results by integrating an end-to-end platform, a proven strategic methodology, and a curated talent network into one holistic solution.

Freelancers use their platform to find opportunities to write content for some of the world’s most recognizable businesses. They are committed to supplying their clients with top talent and giving their contributors seamless freelance experiences.

Their award-winning network of writers can assist you with anything from reported articles to press releases, thought leadership, social-friendly material, and more.

There are no provided pricing rates on their website, as Contently has quote-based pricing. This ensures that organizations get what they need to boost their content operations. The Contently pricing approach ensures you only pay for the services and features you select.

4. Constant Content

With a team of 100,000 writers serving over 50,000 businesses, Constant Content is a writing agency that can help you draft an effective press release. You can guarantee that all articles are unique and SEO-friendly.

Constant Content only accepts expert and specialist writers through a strict application process. You may connect with writing professionals across industries, including medicine, technology, law, finance, engineering, etc.

Unlike other platforms with a set price per word of the project, Constant Content’s pricing varies depending on the writer’s rate. The average rate for custom content is $120.

If you are an aspiring writer, you should check the blogs of famous writers to get an idea from them and be inspired.

Pros of Hiring Press Release Writers

• Save time by gathering the details of your press release writing in a central document. You can send it to the agency or expert who will create it. Then, you may go about your day without devoting a day to producing the press release.
• The price you pay an in-house employee per hour to create a press release may exceed a professional. You might be able to hire an expert to write it for $400, for example. But, your in-house employee, whom you pay $50 per hour, may need two days to perfect it.
• Professional writers are well-versed in tone, syntax, structure, and storytelling complexities. That’s their specialty. You’re more likely to get a higher-quality document when you’re an expert. And things could become messy if you do it yourself.
• You have the opportunity to rewrite it. Many professional content services include some free revisions as part of the pricing. You can submit it for modifications once, twice, or even thrice. You can make changes, big or small, until you’re satisfied.

Cons of Hiring Press Release Writers

• An incomplete brief means essential facts may be lost. You have a heavy burden when creating a brief consisting of fundamental notes about what should be in the press release. You must get it exactly right. Otherwise, you may have to rewrite several times to fill in the factual gaps. And it could take a long time and be stressful.
• Your “tone” may be lost. To avoid losing your voice, give information about the tone and style of your organization’s brand. The writer will likely use an expert, reputable, and reliable phrase if you don’t.

FAQs

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